In an effort to provide more shopper-friendly parking meters, the Village of Great Neck Plaza recently launched a program that reprogrammed all of its parking meters to provide a five-minute grace period at the end of the paid period on the meter. Trustee Gerry Schneiderman, working closely with Director of Code Enforcement Joe Diaz, DPW Meter Coordinator Patrick McGrath and the mayor's office, was instrumental in getting Duncan Technologies, the village's meter supplier, to provide new software for its meters to accomplish this victory for parkers and local businesses.

The program was implemented in response to suggestions from shoppers, merchants and local business organizations to give shoppers a break. Shoppers who receive a ticket often complain that they were only minutes late getting back to their car, feeling the ticket was issued the moment the meter expired. Stated Mayor Jean Celender, "We greatly wanted to overcome this perception because our commercial business district is one of the most successful downtowns, and we want Great Neck Plaza to be known as a wonderful place to come for shopping, dining and just enjoying a visit to our charming, beautiful village."

The village actively partners with its merchants through its Business Improvement District (BID), the Great Neck Chamber of Commerce and other business groups to develop programs like this one, to help make the shopping/dining experience in Great Neck Plaza a pleasant one that will keep shoppers coming back. "If shoppers can find parking more readily and know there's a grace period," said Mayor Celender, "it will allow them to worry less about rushing back to their vehicles before their meter expires, and this in turn will make for more stress-free shopping and dining."

In this reprogrammed meter program, shoppers will receive five minutes free at the end of the paid period before a ticket can be issued for an expired meter. "I'm thrilled we were able to work successfully with Duncan Technologies to develop a way to accomplish this grace period for our shoppers, "said Trustee Schneiderman.

Ron Edelson, executive director of the Great Neck Plaza BID, noted, "providing the five minute grace period demonstrates the village's willingness to listen to our merchants and shoppers and take action to improve the shopping experience for all who visit Great Neck Plaza."

All of the village's meters --- approximately 1,000 meters in its lots and on-street are now reprogrammed. Signage has been affixed to the meters to advise shoppers that the meters are "friendly meters" and that a five-minute grace period is provided at the end of the paid time.

Trustee Schneiderman concluded, "We hope this will be seen as good news to our merchants and shoppers and that the village has responded in a proactive way to address their concerns."